Miami FL vs Phoenix AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami
446,663
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Miami
34.2%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 19.0% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 13.7% | 7.8% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 41.8% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $40,309 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 32.3% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 32.3% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.2% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Phoenix
72.1°F
Phoenix +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 72.1°F | Phoenix + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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